Mike Davis vs. Cordarrelle Patterson: Who Has Lead in Falcons’ Committee?

Mike Davis’ career trajectory is something to behold. 

After impressing with the Seattle Seahawks in the 2018 season, Davis signed a deal with the Chicago Bears in free agency, but he was promptly released after averaging just 2.3 yards per carry over seven games. 

Davis landed with the Carolina Panthers last season, and he played extremely well in place of the injured Christian McCaffrey, racking up over 1,000 combined rushing and receiving yards. That performance earned him a deal with the Atlanta Falcons, and he looked poised to be the Falcons’ lead back this season. 

However, through the first two weeks of the season, do-it-all weapon Cordarrelle Patterson has been the star of the Falcons’ backfield. Patterson has a pair of touchdowns so far this season, and he flashed his unique skill set in Atlanta’s Week 2 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Does this mean Davis is becoming the 1B to Pattersons 1A in the backfield? Let’s take a look at the number through the first two weeks: 

Cordarrelle Patterson vs. Mike Davis Stat Comparison

Touches (Carries + Receptions)

• Davis: 34
• Patterson: 21

Yardage (Rushing and Receiving Yards)

• Davis: 135 (3.6 yards per carry)
• Patterson: 136 (4.6 yards per carry)

Touchdowns 

• Davis: 0
• Patterson: 2

Snap Counts 

• Davis: 100 (69.44 percent)
• Patterson: 48 (33.33 percent)

It’s early, but this doesn’t bode well for Davis going forward. Patterson has been more efficient and outgained Davis this season despite playing less than half of the snaps. 

The Falcons are one of the NFL’s worst teams right now, and they’re going to find themselves behind in a lot of games. While Davis has 13 targets and 10 catches to Patterson’s seven grabs on nine targets, the latter has outgained the former 71-48 through the air. 

This week, the Falcons take on the New York Giants on the road. New York has allowed the 11th-most rushing yards (252) in the NFL so far this season, which could make this a bounce-back spot for Davis. 

However, I’d be cautious when betting on his player props after seeing how well Patterson has played. Arthur Smith is still trying to win games in his first season in Atlanta, and if he thinks a dynamic weapon like Patterson needs the ball more to get that done, it’s going to directly hurt Davis’ volume. 

The Falcons are actually my upset pick of the week against the Giants, as they are +130 on the moneyline and three-point road underdogs at WynnBET Sportsbook. 

Can the Falcons pull off the upset? Get in the action at WynnBET.